Stability of the monarchy

Question 1

When did Henry VIII die?

Answer 1

28th January 1547

Question 2

When was the Third Succession Act?

Answer 2

1543
Confirmed if Edward died with no heirs, the throne would pass to Mary. This Act reversed earlier Succession acts which excluded both Mary and Elizabeth from the succession, although their illegitimacy was not reversed

Question 3

What did Henry do before he died to manage political stability?

Answer 3

established a Regency Council balanced between “reformists” under Seymour and “Catholics” under Norfolk and Gardiner.
However events in the last year of Henry’s reign had undermined this and left a reformist-dominated council

Question 4

What other examples are there of young kings?

Answer 4

henry VI succeeded the throne at 8 months, his reign was characterised by the Wars of Roses but they didn’t start until he came of age.
Edward V aged twelve succeeded to the throne after the death of his father in 1483. He was imprisoned in the Tower and probably murdered on the orders of his uncle who became Richard III

Question 5

What problems were there with having a minor on the throne?

Answer 5

Couldn’t lead troops into battle
Other countries may look to exploit England
Civil War as there is less control over factional struggles
Image of the King is hard to portray as powerful

Question 6

How did the Regency council continue under Edward?

Answer 6

Somerset assumed power. He was Edward’s uncle. Transfer of power was smooth.
There were realistic arguments that a Regency Council where 16 people have a say would cause conflict and factional struggles

Question 7

What was ruling of government like under Somerset?

Answer 7

Somerset used proclamations more than any other ruler, meant he was creating laws without going through parliament
He gained sole custody of the dry stamp
Effectively by-passed the Privy Council. The Council he called convened at Somerset House
He used his household servants as government officials

Question 8

What was the result of Somerset’s government style?

Answer 8

The formation of an anti-Somerset faction

Question 9

What grievances did people have against Somerset?

Answer 9

Poor leadership- alienated people
Mishandling of foreign policy
Favouritism
Money making and extravagance
Social and religious policy

Question 10

When did the coup against Somerset begin?

Answer 10

15th September 1549
Somerset’s plan for the creation of a “new council” was opposed by the Earls of Arundel, Southampton and Northumberland

Question 11

How did Somerset react to the opposition against him?

Answer 11

September- he makes an unsuccessful appeal for the support of Lord Russell’s Army, still together after the Western Rebellion
30th September- he orders all soldiers to leave London
5th October- Somerset had the King moved to Hampton Court (he had 400 troops). Somerset made a general summons to all the King’s loyal subjects to defend the King at Hampton Court
6th October- Somerset took Edward to Windsor Castle and was accused of kidnapping the King

Question 12

When did Somerset fall from power?

Answer 12

10th October Somerset surrendered
14th October Somerset imprisoned

Question 13

How did Warwick (Northumberland) come to power?

Answer 13

Was warned that Catholics Arundel and Southampton were planning to overthrow Northumberland as he was close with Somerset. Northumberland declared anyone who sought Somerset’s blood also sought his own. The conservatives were outnumbered and few changed sides E.g. Russell
The Earls of Arundel and Southampton were dismissed and Northumberland made himself Lord President.
By 2nd December the Privy Council had a Protestant majority

Question 14

What happened to Somerset after the Coup?

Answer 14

Northumberland made a determined effort at reconciliation with Somerset and by mid 1550 he had returned to court.
Somerset however kept plotting so in 1552 Northumberland fabricated details in order to get him executed

Question 15

When did Somerset become Lord Protector?

Answer 15

31st January 1547

Question 16

How did Somerset rule the country?

Answer 16

Using the dry stamp and issuing proclamations

Question 17

Who was the driving force behind the attempts to alter the succession?

Answer 17

Northumberland as it was essential if he was to preserve his power

Question 18

What evidence is there to suggest Edward was the main driving force behind altering the succession?

Answer 18

He was a committed Protestant and Mary was Catholic
Edward had been playing a much larger role in government e.g. attending Privy Council meetings and setting some agendas

Question 19

When was the succession altered?

Answer 19

The succession was altered by the “Devise for the Succession” first issued in May 1553

Question 20

How was the succession first altered?

Answer 20

To exclude Mary and Elizabet as if they married a foreigner it would “utterly subvert the good of the nation”.
Instead the next heir was to be the eldest son of Lady Jane Grey married to Guildford Dudley, son of Northumberland

Question 21

How was the Devise for the Succession altered?

Answer 21

In early June the devise was altered to make Jane the heir. It was only with this change in the devise that Northumberland’s importance was raised

Question 22

When did Edward die?

Answer 22

6th July 1553

Question 23

What evidence is there to suggest Northumberland was not behind the alterations of the devise?

Answer 23

The plot was poorly managed. As an experienced soldier it is likely he would have ensured he had sufficient forces available to ensure control. Or ensured Mary was captured and he would have raised a propaganda campaign

Question 24

How long was Edwards death kept quiet for?

Answer 24

Two days

Question 25

When was Jane proclaimed Queen?

Answer 25

10th July. Meanwhile Mary also proclaimed herself Queen in East Anglia

Question 26

What reasons were there to justify the fear of a female ruler weakening the monarchy?

Answer 26

A women would be unable to control faction
A women would be unable to lead an army into battle
A woman was expected to marry, but women should be subservient to their husbands
If Mary married an Englishman it would increase the power of the husbands family who would dominate court
If Mary married a foreigner the country would be dominated be foreigners

Question 27

When did Mary announce her decision to marry Philip?

Answer 27

Raised the issue with the Privy Council on 27th October 1553 simply announcing her plan to marry Philip

Question 28

What benefits were there to Mary marrying Philip?

Answer 28

It could be argued that the match would benefit England as Philip was powerful and would be able to protect Mary

Question 29

What were the concerns of Mary marrying Philip?

Answer 29

The marriage would drag England into the Habsburg’s wars that would bring the country no benefit.

Question 30

What did Mary do in order to marry Philip?

Answer 30

Despite a petition from the House of Commons, Mary ignored any opposition to her plans and on 7th December a marriage treaty was presented to the Council and approved in January 1554

Question 31

Who was John Proctor?

Answer 31

He wrote the only contemporary account of Wyatts rising and wanted to portray the rising as religiously motivated and divert attention from the unpopularity of the marriage

Question 32

What developments aided the efficiency of Council meetings?

Answer 32

The establishment of committees in 1554 which excluded the casual councillors
The establishments in 1555 of an Inner Council
Philip’s departure in 1555 and the death of Gardiner allowed Paget to dominate and establish a conciliar form of government

Question 33

What disputes were there between factions under Mary?

Answer 33

Between Gardiner and Paget there were disputes over specific issues e.g. the revival of heresy laws, but most of the time the Council put rivalry to the side

Question 34

Who was in the anti-Somerset faction?

Answer 34

Paget, Warwick, who was made Duke of Northumberland and Wriothesley